Acetyl L-Carnitine 637.5mg | ALCAR | Source of Carnitine | 120 Vcaps x 2 | NPN 80141963

Each capsule delivers 637.5mg of Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR), derived from 750mg of Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl. A source of carnitine. Health Canada approved (NPN 80141963). 100% vegan, non GMO, gluten free, soy free. Made in Canada. This listing is a 2-pack: 2 x 120 capsules = 240 capsules total (80 day supply per bottle at 3 capsules per day).

Why Choose This Formula

• 637.5mg Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) per capsule (from 750mg ALCAR HCl)
• Source of carnitine (Health Canada approved, NPN 80141963)
• ALCAR crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily than plain L-carnitine
• Acetyl group donates to acetyl-CoA, the precursor to acetylcholine synthesis
• 3 capsules per day: 1,912.5mg ALCAR daily (from 2,250mg ALCAR HCl)
• 2-pack value: 240 capsules total, 80 day supply per bottle
• 100% vegan, non GMO, gluten free, soy free, made in Canada

Who Should Use This

• Adults seeking a source of carnitine in the acetylated ALCAR form that crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily than plain L-carnitine
• Those who want a high-dose ALCAR formula: 637.5mg per capsule, 1,912.5mg per day at 3 capsules
• Those committed to consistent daily ALCAR use who want the value of a 2-pack (240 capsules, 160 day supply total)
• Those who want a 100% vegan, single-ingredient ALCAR capsule made in Canada

Do not use if: you have a known allergy to carnitine. Consult a healthcare practitioner before use if pregnant or breastfeeding, have kidney disease, or have a seizure disorder. See full safety information below.

What This Product Does

Acetyl L-Carnitine is a source of carnitine. That is the Health Canada approved use (NPN 80141963). Carnitine plays an essential role in energy metabolism: it is required for the transport of long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane for beta-oxidation, the process by which fatty acids are broken down to generate ATP. Without carnitine, long-chain fatty acids cannot enter the mitochondria for energy production.

The acetylated form (ALCAR) has two additional properties compared to plain L-carnitine: it crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily, and its acetyl group can be donated to coenzyme A (CoA) to form acetyl-CoA, the central metabolite of the citric acid cycle and the substrate for acetylcholine synthesis in the brain.

ALCAR vs. L-Carnitine: The Key Differences

L-carnitine and Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) are both forms of carnitine, but they differ in structure and properties in ways that matter for supplementation.

Structure: ALCAR is L-carnitine with an acetyl group (CH3CO) attached to the nitrogen. This acetylation increases the lipophilicity of the molecule, which has two important consequences.

Blood-Brain Barrier Penetration: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a selective barrier formed by tight junctions between brain capillary endothelial cells that restricts the passage of most molecules from the bloodstream into the brain. L-carnitine crosses the BBB poorly due to its hydrophilic (water-loving) nature. ALCAR crosses the BBB more readily due to its acetyl group, which increases lipophilicity and facilitates transport via the organic cation transporter OCTN2 as well as passive diffusion. This makes ALCAR the preferred carnitine form for applications targeting the central nervous system.

Acetyl-CoA Donation: Once inside cells, ALCAR can transfer its acetyl group to coenzyme A (CoA) to form acetyl-CoA. Acetyl-CoA is the central metabolite that enters the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) for ATP production and is also the substrate for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the enzyme that synthesizes acetylcholine (ACh) from acetyl-CoA and choline. Acetylcholine is the primary neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system and is critical for memory formation and cognitive function. This acetyl-CoA donation is unique to ALCAR and does not occur with plain L-carnitine.

Carnitine's Role in Fatty Acid Transport: Both L-carnitine and ALCAR serve as sources of carnitine for the carnitine shuttle system. Long-chain fatty acids (14 carbons or longer) cannot cross the inner mitochondrial membrane on their own. They must be conjugated to carnitine by carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT-I) on the outer mitochondrial membrane to form acylcarnitine, transported across the inner membrane by carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase (CACT), and then released by carnitine palmitoyltransferase II (CPT-II) on the inner membrane for entry into beta-oxidation. Carnitine is regenerated and recycled in this process.

Understanding 637.5mg from 750mg ALCAR HCl

Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl is the hydrochloride salt form of ALCAR, used for improved stability and solubility in capsule manufacturing. The HCl salt has a higher molecular weight than the free base form of ALCAR. The ratio of free base ALCAR to ALCAR HCl is approximately 85%: 750mg of ALCAR HCl yields 637.5mg of active Acetyl L-Carnitine free base. This is standard pharmaceutical salt conversion and is how the medicinal ingredient is expressed on the Health Canada NPN label: 637.5mg Acetyl L-Carnitine (from 750mg Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl).

The 2-Pack: Value for Consistent Daily Use

This listing contains 2 bottles of 120 capsules each, for a total of 240 capsules. At the suggested dose of 3 capsules per day, each 120-capsule bottle provides an 80 day supply. The 2-pack provides a total of 160 days of supply, suited to those who use ALCAR consistently and want to reduce reorder frequency and cost per capsule.

Dosage and Supply

Acetyl L-Carnitine: 637.5mg per capsule (from 750mg Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl)
Suggested Use: Adults: 1 capsule, 3 times per day
Daily intake: 1,912.5mg ALCAR (from 2,250mg ALCAR HCl)
Capsules per bottle: 120
Bottles in this listing: 2 (240 capsules total)
Supply per bottle: 80 days at 3 capsules per day
Total supply (2-pack): 160 days at 3 capsules per day
Non Medicinal Ingredients: Hypromellose, Magnesium Stearate, Microcrystalline Cellulose

Consult your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage and duration of use for your individual needs.

Quality and Purity

• Health Canada approved (NPN 80141963)
• 637.5mg Acetyl L-Carnitine per capsule (from 750mg ALCAR HCl)
• Vegan hypromellose capsule
• 100% vegan, non GMO, gluten free, soy free
• 2 x 120 capsules (240 total, 160 day supply)
• Made in Canada

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep bottle tightly sealed after each use.

Safety Information and Cautions

Contraindication: Do not use if you have a known allergy to carnitine.

Consult a healthcare practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have kidney disease, or have a seizure disorder.

May cause gastrointestinal discomfort or disturbances; taking with food may help minimize this.

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Keep out of reach of children.

This product is approved by Health Canada (NPN 80141963).